Hidden away in a small courtyard within Manchester Metropolitan University is a slip of a building that seeks to redefine how we think about low carbon construction. Measuring just 70m², this single-storey project is one of the first to be benchmarked against the new net zero carbon building standard (NZCBS).

Developed by the industry, the NZCBS sets maximum limits for upfront carbon and operational energy use with an annual reporting requirement for the latter to maintain certification. There are specific limits for 14 different building types including schools, homes and offices.

The NZCBS includes an upfront carbon and energy use roadmap with limits progressively decreasing each year to 2050. This is intended to account for lower carbon building materials being developed, increased energy efficiency and better energy management.

The NZCBS is being piloted on several test projects before being formally adopted. The Robotics Living Lab, as this building is called, is a pilot project for the NZCBS. This building would comply with the upfront carbon limits for a building starting on site in 2030, so it is a pointer for how construction might look at the beginning of the next decade.